15 month old suddenly hates going to bed

[stitchNting]

I'm in need of some advice. My 15mo DD has for this past week got really stressed out at bed/nap time. She used to have a bath at 6:30pm followed by a bottle and bed at 6:45 and would self settle around 7. She's an early riser - between 5 & 6am. She has one nap a day around 11am. She has suddenly started getting very stressed when we go to her room for a sleep, refuses the bottle and gets very upset. Because of this she hasn't had a daytime nap in her cot (only brief 20mins if I manage to get her in the buggy in the mornings). She's gone from being a very happy soul to crying a lot and having minor tantrums, probably because she's so tired.

She's got her molars and canines through already so I don't think it's her teeth bothering her. I really have no idea what's gone wrong! I'd love to hear if anyone else has had the same experience and how it was resolved. Thanks in advance.

Hi. Do you have a night light? My Dd starting to notice the dark around that age. Or could it be a bit of separation anxiety?

Perhaps you could feed her and let her doze off in your bed for naps while you potter. Then she wouldn't be overtired. It is a phase that will pass.

Thanks Icomefromaland, I had been wondering about a nightlight so I'll pop out and get one later on. I had wondered about separation anxiety and if this behaviour was a manifestation of that. Do you know what we can do to overcome it? She's getting so stressed out and I just don't know what to do!

Hi. With separation anxiety there is nothing you can do but keep them close so as not to make it worse. We got a pretty flower nightlight for Dd which she adored so hopefully that will do the trick.